Say hello to your new Council

Congratulations to our newly elected Council, led by our Mayor, Jan-Claire Wisdom.
Pictured (L-R): Cr Malcolm Herrmann, Cr Andrew Stratford, Cr Ian Bailey, Cr Leith Mudge, Cr Pauline Gill, Cr Mark Osterstock, Mayor Jan-Claire Wisdom, Deputy Mayor Nathan Daniell, Cr Kirsty Parkin, Cr Kirrilee Boyd, Cr John Kemp, Cr Chris Grant, Cr Linda Green.

Council Member contact details are available via the Council Members page on our website.

Seeking photographers

We are currently challenging any photographer 16yrs+ to capture what cultural diversity looks like in the Adelaide Hills. Five photographs will be chosen by a judging panel to receive a prize of $500 each. The winning photographs will then form a suite of images that will be used by Council in representing cultural diversity in the Adelaide Hills.

Click here to download the competition Registration Form and Conditions of Entry.

Oakbank Kindergarten improves gardens

Our Biodiversity Team had a great time visiting the Oakbank Kindergarten to help them with some planting around the play area and surrounding grounds.

Students and teachers helped to plant 50 indigenous trees, shrubs, ground covers and grasses that will assist in deterring a number of toxic exotic plants that had recently been removed.

The children were very enthusiastic with their digging, planting, and watering, and took great pride in improving their gardens.

Participate in our current consultations

We invite you to take a few moments to participate in our current consultations. Visit our Engagement Portal today and tell us your thoughts.

What should replace the Stirling Rotunda?
Closes 28 January 2019
Memorial Garden & Ash Wednesday Memorial
Closes 28 January 2019

Grants up to $10,000 available for environmental projects

The 2018-19 Natural Resources Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges Community Environment Grants are now open! Schools and community groups/individuals can apply for a grant up to $5,000 or $10,000 for projects that improve community capacity, awareness, and education of sustainable management of our natural resources. There are five categories:

> Information, education and training
> Coast, estuarine and marine environments
> Sustainable living
> Biodiversity protection
> Water for life

Grant applications close 19 December 2018, see the AMLR website for all the conditions and application details.

Holiday events for the whole family

It's a great time of year to get the family out and enjoying one of the numerous events being held in the community.

In January we will also have a great selection of school holiday events, welcome the Santos Tour Down Under to the hills, and get ready for Australia Day (more details in next month's newsletter!)

Community Consultation: Mt Barker Junction Railway Station, Balhannah

The Department for Environment and Water (DEW) has received an application to purchase and restore the Mt Barker Junction Railway Station in Balhannah.

Click here to read all the details about the proposal.

Public comment is invited concerning the proposal and must be received in writing by 5pm Friday 11 January 2019.

Emily Dunstan
Project and Property Officer
Department for Environment and Water
GPO Box 1047
Adelaide SA 5000
Emily.Dunstan@sa.gov.au

Help us with reconciliation across the hills

We have partnered with Mount Barker District Council to seek expressions of interest for a regional reconciliation working group.

The Adelaide Hills Region Reconciliation Working Group will advise on reconciliation at a regional level encompassing both Council districts. It will also assist with the implementation and further development of Reconciliation Action Plans.

Click here to download an Expression of Interest form
Click here to download the Terms of Reference